Paul Joseph Renda, 94, Veteran, Owned Vending Business

Paul Joseph Renda, 94, resident of Haverhill, passed peacefully Saturday afternoon, April 15, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, surrounded by his family.

Born in Haverhill May 13, 1922, son of Italian immigrants Andrew and Domenica (DePalma) Ragno (Renda), he graduated from high school in Haverhill and, shortly thereafter, joined the military, proudly serving with the United States Army during World War II. He was inducted Dec. 31, 1942 and began active duty  Jan. 7, 1942. During his tour of duty as pharmacist in the 7th Field Army, Sergeant Renda was engaged in battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal. He formed many friendships while serving in the Army and remained in touch with them throughout his life. Major Dr. Hyman Snierson of Binghamton, N.Y., continued to have a major impact on Renda throughout his life. After his honorable discharge, he returned to his hometown of Haverhill and worked at Western Electric for many years. For 50 years, he and his wife Loretta made a life in West Newbury with their six daughters. During that time, he owned a vending business he ran with his wife until their retirement. At age 65, he enrolled in Massachusetts College of Art and graduated after three years to begin a life-long focus on his art.

Besides his wife of 65 years, Loretta E. (Clark) Renda, of Haverhill, he leaves six daughters, Paula Renda of Newburyport, Laurie Davis of Loganville, Ga., Diane Klocker and husband Joe of West Newbury, Gail Bacheller London and husband Marty of Hampstead, N.H., Maria Terranova and husband Graham of Newburyport and Carol MacLeod and husband David of Sandown, N.H.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several generations of nieces and nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

An hour of visitation takes place Thursday, April 20, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Monument Square Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 334 Main St., Haverhill, immediately followed by services at the funeral home and burial in St. James Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, 10 Reed St., Haverhill, MA 01832 or online at www.northeastveterans.org.

One thought on “Paul Joseph Renda, 94, Veteran, Owned Vending Business

Click here to cancel reply.